1. Matthew 5:10-12 “Persecuted”

3. T ODAY IN N ORTH Korea, an estimated 30,000 of our brothers and sisters are suffering unspeakable tortures in four concentration camps. www.persecution.com

4. We are going to win the world for Christ from a position of strength rather than from a position of weakness. If we are facing challenges we must not be doing what God wants us to do. We think…

5. Mathew 5:1-12 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

6. Big Idea: Jesus want us to experience the PROFOUND FAVOR that accompanies the RADICAL TRANSFORMATION of those living under His ROYAL CONTROL.

7. Mathew 5:1-12 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Character Quality? Promise

8. Matthew 5:10-12 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Expansion

9. What does Jesus commend? What does Jesus promise?

10. Matthew 5:10 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Situation?

11. Persecution is the inevitable result of the collision of two irreconcilable kingdoms. John 15:18-25 I Peter 4:13-14

12. Disapproval Ridicule Pressure to conform Loss of educational opportunities Economic sanctions Shunning Alienation from community Loss of employment Loss of property Physical abuse Mob violence Harassment by officials Kidnapping Forced labor Imprisonment Physical torture Murder or execution Degrees of Persecution Andrew Black and Craig Bird, "The Risk of Faith," FaithWorks (July/August 1999)

13. Matthew 5:10 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Situation? Response?

14. Matthew 5:10 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Response?

15. What does Jesus commend? What does Jesus promise?

16. Matthew 5:10 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Jesus is not promising that we can earn our entrance into heaven by suffering. Jesus is promising that our eternal reward will outweigh our present suffering.

17. CS Lewis, The Problem of Pain

18. Hebrews 12:2-3 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Jesus understood the importance of eternal reward.

19. The first followers of Jesus understood the importance of eternal reward. Acts 5:41-42 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

20. The first followers of Jesus understood the importance of eternal reward. 1 Peter 1:3-6 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

21. This World Creation 1st Coming of Christ 2nd Coming of Christ The Kingdom of God Begin to experience the Kingdom of Heaven NOW!